Value Chain Analysis of Dry Fish in North-East Region of India

Abstract

This study on ‘Value Chain Analysis of Dry Fish in North-East Region of India’ has been conducted in 2015 with specific objectives—(i) to map the value chain of dry fish in North-East region of the country, (ii) to analyse cost and margins of actors in value chain of dry fish, (iii) analyse impact of value chain of dry fish on income of small-scale processors, (iv) examine the status, institutional credit and socioeconomic factors that influence value chain actors’ decision to use institutional credit and (v) to suggest appropriate upgrading and development strategies to enhance the value chain performance. For capturing primary data, two major fish landing centres such as Digha, West Bengal and Veraval, Gujarat and 12 dry fish trading centres from the Northeastern states such as Assam, Manipur and Tripura have been selected. The sample comprises altogether 555 respondents including 136 processors, 75 wholesalers, 123 retailers, 156 labourers and 65 consumers. In this article, core processes of dry fish value chain, core and supporting value chain activities, value chain map showing the flow as well as inter-relationships and linkages among the chain actors of the dry fish products, sub-value chains, status of infrastructural facilities along the value chain, cost and margins of different chain actors, value chain performance and present status of institutional financing along the dry fish value chain and measures for upgradation of dry fish value chain are highlighted.